In South Africa, singing itself is considered to be a tradition, people love to play music and sing even in daily lives. Over the years, the music of South Africa has been influenced by many different styles, people and groups. The best examples for South African traditional music are the songs from “The Lion King”. The most well-known South African song is called “Mbube”. After being altered and added to, it became a total hit. Now, it is known by children all of over the world as the famous kid’s song “The Lion sleeps tonight”. South African’s folk music are mostly consists of fast tempo. The songs sound very happy and festive, that’s why they are used during celebrations along with the South African’s dance. When a South African song is heard, we can tell right away that it is African because it is exactly as people describe it. The folk songs have a lot of beat to it, a lot of percussion instruments were used; and it has a lack of melody. South African indigenous music was partly influenced by Dutch folk styled along with a bit of French and German influences. It also consists of some elements in American country music. Most of the South African songs find their roots to be a style of music called isicathamiya. This style of music is more towards vocals and it emphasize on choir. Isicathatmiya is a type of accapella that blends indigenous harmonies with western hymns. These types of vocals are usually written in call and response template. These songs are often sung by men. There aren’t any specific traditional instruments for South African music since they don’t rely a lot on them. Musical company is not common in South Africa because the songs are often sung in the people’s everyday lives. The South African music is largely dependent on vocals and percussion rather than tunes and melody.
In South Africa, singing itself is considered to be a tradition, people love to play music and sing even in daily lives. Over the years, the music of South Africa has been influenced by many different styles, people and groups.
The best examples for South African traditional music are the songs from “The Lion King”. The most well-known South African song is called “Mbube”. After being altered and added to, it became a total hit. Now, it is known by children all of over the world as the famous kid’s song “The Lion sleeps tonight”.
South African’s folk music are mostly consists of fast tempo. The songs sound very happy and festive, that’s why they are used during celebrations along with the South African’s dance. When a South African song is heard, we can tell right away that it is African because it is exactly as people describe it. The folk songs have a lot of beat to it, a lot of percussion instruments were used; and it has a lack of melody. South African indigenous music was partly influenced by Dutch folk styled along with a bit of French and German influences. It also consists of some elements in American country music.
Most of the South African songs find their roots to be a style of music called isicathamiya. This style of music is more towards vocals and it emphasize on choir. Isicathatmiya is a type of accapella that blends indigenous harmonies with western hymns. These types of vocals are usually written in call and response template. These songs are often sung by men.
There aren’t any specific traditional instruments for South African music since they don’t rely a lot on them. Musical company is not common in South Africa because the songs are often sung in the people’s everyday lives. The South African music is largely dependent on vocals and percussion rather than tunes and melody.
Works Cited:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/61/Wikipedia_flag_south_africa_large.png